Bangle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a bangle comprising an annular-shaped cover which is formed, essentially, of two curved tubes. The tubes are connected together on one of the tube ends by a hinge and comprises a liquid tank. One tube is embodied in such a manner that it receives the liquid tank, and a spraying head of the liquid tank protrudes into a tube end of the adjacent tube. The two tubes can be displaced in relation to each other in the region of the tube end thereof which is oriented away from the hinge.

This application is a national stage completion of PCT/EP2005/000432filed Jan. 18, 2005 which claims priority from German Application SerialNo. 20 2004 000 890.4 filed Jan. 21, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a bangle with an annular casing and with aliquid tank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bangles are generally worn by women as a piece of jewelry on the wrist.Bangles of this type, differing in quality, composed of differentmaterials and in different sizes, are known.

WO 99/32007 discloses a bangle as a container for liquids with anatomizer and a hinge. In this case, the bangle comprises two parts, onepart of the bangle having a cavity which is filled with perfume oranother liquid. The two parts of the bangle are connected to each othervia a hinge. The liquid contained in one part of the bangle can bedispensed by means of an atomizer. To cover the atomizer, a displaceablecovering ring is provided which also serves to connect the two parts ofthe bangle to each other.

The bangle known from WO 99/32007 is complicated to produce and, inparticular, also difficult to operate due to the covering ring. Afurther problem is to reliably seal the cavity of the part which isprovided for filling with the liquid. It is also a problem to ensurethat the inserted liquid (perfume) does not corrode the material of thebangle.

GB 2 235 861 A discloses a bangle which is composed of two sections. Thesections together form a complete circle. The sections are composed ineach case of a bent flat material. One of the two sections hasprojections on its rear side. Provision is made in this case for aliquid tank to be placed between the projections and the rear side ofthe bent flat material. The liquid tank has a spray head which has to beoperated from the rear side of the sections. So that an operation of thespray head is possible, the latter has to be arranged, according to GB 2235 861 A, in an exposed manner on the rear side of the bent material.The optical effect of the bangle is therefore disadvantageouslyaffected. In addition, the wearer of the bangle repeatedly comes intocontact with the spray head. This may firstly be found unpleasant andsecondly an inadvertent actuation of the spray head may not be reliablyprevented.

A further disadvantage of the bangle known from GB 2 235 861 A is thatthe latter is complicated to produce. In order to improve the opticalimpression of the bangle, provision is made for the two sections to besurrounded by an outer ring. Although the directly visible surface ofthe bangle can be improved by this means, it is not possible, and isalso not envisaged, to cover the rear side of the sections, sinceotherwise the spray head would no longer be operable. The spray headtherefore continues to come into contact with the wearer and is visibleat least to keen observers. The rear sides of the sections are alsovisible, thus conferring a disadvantageous optical effect on the bangleinter alia because of the projections which are intended to fix theliquid tank in place. The bangle can therefore be used only withdifficulty as an attractive decorative piece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing abangle which can be used for spraying liquids, the bangle being intendedto meet the most exacting requirements both qualitatively and alsovisually, being intended to ensure that the liquid to be sprayed isaccommodated in an advantageous manner and being intended to be simpleto operate.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the features ofclaim 1.

By the annular casing of the bangle being formed from two bent tubes,with one tube being designed to accommodate the liquid tank, the liquidtank can be accommodated and connected to the annular casing in a simplemanner. The formation of a separate liquid tank makes it possible forthe bent tubes to be able to be formed from any desired material. Damageor corrosion of the tubes by the liquid provided for spraying is not ofconcern, since the liquid is accommodated in a separate liquid tank. Afurther advantage of the formation of a separate liquid tank is that thelatter can be changed in a rapid and simple manner, thus making itpossible to use the bangle to spray different perfumes. This isvirtually impossible without a separate liquid tank, since, firstly, anemptying of the liquid from the bangle is complicated and, secondly, itwill be difficult to prevent residual liquid from remaining in thebangle.

The formation of the bangle from two bent tubes confers a uniformappearance on the bangle. In contrast to the bangle known from GB 2 235861 A, the overall impression is not disturbed by the rear side orunderside of the bangle, i.e. the side which faces the wearer whenwearing it, since the underside of the bangle is formed from the samematerial as the upper side. The wearing of the bangle is pleasant forthe wearer, since the underside of the bangle is likewise formed fromthe bent tube and therefore does not have any projections, edges,corners and the like.

Since the spray head of the liquid tank protrudes into the tube end orinto the end-side opening of the adjacent tube, an inadvertent actuationof the same is prevented. The spray head of the liquid tank is thereforekept safe in a secure and reliable manner.

It has turned out in tests that the bangle according to the inventioncan be produced in a simple and cost-effective manner. The two benttubes can be produced in a simple manner from unbent tubes by the unbenttubes being bent, for example, around an arbor. Various methods areknown from the general prior art for the bending of tubes. The formationof projections and the like in order to fix the liquid tank in place, asis provided in GB 2 235 861 A, can be dispensed with, as a result ofwhich particularly cost-effective and simple production is possible.

The two bent tubes can be composed of any desired basic material whichmay optionally be silver-plated, gold-plated, rhodium-plated or finishedin another manner. The bent tubes may be produced from metal, plastic orany desired further material which makes a tubular formation possible.

It is advantageous if the tube walls of the tubes have an oval contour,as viewed in cross section. As has turned out in tests, an oval contourof the tubes confers a lightweight and thin overall impression.Furthermore, the contour which differs from a round contour makes itpossible for the liquid tank to be fixed in place in the tube providedfor it in a simple and twist-proof manner. As a result, the position ofthe spray opening of the spray head is likewise fixed in place. Inaddition, the oval contour of the tube wall makes it possible in aparticularly simple and material-protecting manner to provide unbenttubes with the intended radius.

It is advantageous if the spray head is of oval design (in crosssection).

Independently of or in addition to the oval configuration of the tube,an oval configuration of the spray head, or a configuration of the samewhich differs from a circular shape, permits a simple and reliablefixing of the spray head in place if the region of the tube end of thetube provided for accommodating the spray head has a shape which ismatched to said spray head. The region of the tube end of the tubeprovided for accommodating the spray head preferably has an outletopening which is aligned with the spray opening of the spray head. Bymeans of the oval configuration of the tube/spray head, or aconfiguration of the same which differs from a circular shape, the sprayopening together with the outlet opening is fixed in place in atwist-proof manner.

In a design refinement of the invention, provision can furthermore bemade for the tube provided for accommodating the spray head to have, inthe interior, a projection, stop or the like which serves for anactuating surface of the spray head to bear against.

The spraying function can therefore be actuated or triggered in a simplemanner by means of a slight compression of the bangle or of the twoadjacent tube ends, in the region of which the spray head is arranged.Provision is made in this case for the spray opening of the spray headto be aligned with the outlet opening when the actuating surface of thespray head bears against the stop of the tube. A reliable spraying ofthe liquid contained in the liquid tank is therefore possible.

It is advantageous if the tube for accommodating the spray head in theregion of the tube end has a widened opening for accommodating the sprayhead.

The widened opening or the increased diameter makes it possible for thespray head to be accommodated in a simple manner. In this case, theouter contour of the spray head can essentially correspond to the outercontour of the tube in which the liquid tank is placed. The spray headcan therefore reliably close the end-side opening of this tube. Theenlarged diameter of the tube end of the tube which is provided foraccommodating the spray head makes it possible for the spray head to bereliably surrounded or enclosed in a simple manner. The enlargeddiameter also makes it possible in a simple manner for the two tubeends, which are aligned with each other in this region, to be able to bedisplaced with respect to each other, so that the spraying or pumpingfunction of the spray head can be triggered. For this purpose, thewidened opening of the tube end provided for accommodating the sprayhead can be displaced essentially parallel to the outer contour of theother tube. A displacement of a few millimeters is sufficient here inorder to trigger the spraying function. Provision may be made here forthe widened opening to have one or more guide stops, latching points orthe like which project into the interior, latch into correspondinglymatched cutouts or depressions of the adjacent or surrounded tube andthus increase the stability of the bangle. The cutouts are designed insuch a manner that the projections or the latching points can bedisplaced along the cutout at least within the intended actuating travelof the spray head.

Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention emerge fromthe further subclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An advantageous exemplary embodiment of the invention is illustratedbelow with reference to the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the bangle according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of that region of the bangle according to theinvention which is provided with the spray opening;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the bangle according to the inventionaccording to the arrow direction III of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the bangle according to the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a further perspective illustration of the bangle accordingto the invention;

FIG. 6 shows an illustration of the bangle according to the invention inan open state;

FIG. 7 shows an illustration of the bangle according to the invention inan individual illustration of the two tubes and of the liquid tank in aside view;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective illustration of the bangle according to theinvention according to FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 shows a cross section through a tube of the bangle according tothe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen from the figures, the bangle according to the inventionhas an annular casing 1 which is formed essentially from two bent tubes2, 3. The two tubes 2, 3 are connected to each other at one end 2 b, 3 bby means of a hinge 4. The hinge 4 makes it possible, as illustrated inFIG. 6, to open the bangle or to pivot the two tubes 2, 3 apart at thetube ends 2 a, 3 a which face away from the hinge 4.

Although the bangle is formed essentially from two bent tubes 2, 3, thisdoes not prevent these tubes 2, 3 from being composed of a plurality oftube pieces. An embodiment of this type is likewise to be understood,according to the invention, as meaning a formation from essentially twobent tubes 2, 3. A separation of the tubes 2, 3 or a composition from aplurality of tube pieces draws on the basic concept according to theinvention.

As can be seen from the figures, the tube 2 is designed to accommodate aliquid tank 5. The liquid tank 5 to be accommodated is illustrated interms of principle in FIGS. 7 and 8. The liquid tank 5 illustrated inthe exemplary embodiment has a bend of approx. 90°. However, theconfiguration of the liquid tank 5 is not restricted to this. In tests,a curve radius of 90° has proven suitable firstly with regard to atwist-proof and stable arrangement and secondly in order to be able toplace the liquid tank 5 into the interior of the tube 2 without anyproblem.

As is furthermore revealed in the figures, the tube end 3 a of the tube3 is designed to accommodate a spray head 7 of the liquid tank 5. Inthis case, the spray head 7 of the liquid tank 5 protrudes, when theliquid tank 5 is inserted into the tube 2, into the tube end 3 a of theadjacent tube 3.

As can be seen in the figures, in particular in FIG. 9, the tube walls8, 9 of the tubes 2, 3 have, in cross section, a contour which containscharacteristic features of an oval shape. The tube walls 8, 9 of thetubes 2, 3 have, in cross section, two opposite, at least approximatelyradius-free regions 10. The tubes 2, 3 have a width which corresponds atleast approximately to double the height. The width of the tubes 2, 3 isto be understood here as meaning the extent of the tubes 2, 3perpendicular to the plane over which the bangle stretches. Accordingly,the height of the tubes 2, 3 corresponds—apart from possible changes inshape through the operation to bend the tubes 2, 3- to the differencebetween the radius of the outside and the radius of the inside of thebangle.

In the exemplary embodiment, provision is made for the tubes 2, 3 tohave a height of 5 to 10 mm, preferably of 7.4 mm, and a width of 10 to20 mm, preferably 14.6 mm.

These dimensions and the two opposite, at least approximatelyradius-free regions 10 enable the annular casing 1 of the bangle to havea thin and elegant effect. In this case, the radius-free regions 10 areformed on the “short side” of the tubes 2, 3 and therefore provide partof the height of the bangle. The radius-free regions 10 form anencircling edge of the bangle.

As can be seen from the figures, the outer contour of the liquid tank 5and the spray head 7 and the inner contour of the tube wall 8, 9 aredesigned such that they match each other in order for the liquid tank 5and the spray head 7 to be arranged in a twist-proof manner. The sprayhead 7 and the liquid tank 5 therefore likewise have two opposite, atleast approximately radius-free edge regions. Otherwise, the contour ofthe spray head 7 and the contour of the liquid tank 5 havecharacteristic features of an oval shape.

As can be seen from the figures, the tube 3 for accommodating the sprayhead 7 in the region of the tube end 3 a has a widened opening 12 or anenlarged diameter for accommodating the spray head 7. In addition, thetube 3 has, in the interior, a projection (not illustrated) or a stop orthe like which serves for an actuating surface 14 of the spray head 7 tobear against. The stop can be configured in a simple manner by the innercontour of the tube wall 9 of the tube 3 for accommodating the sprayhead 7 in the region of the tube end 3 a tapering, starting from thetube end 3 a. The inner contour preferably tapers conically here. Assoon as the inner contour falls short of the circumference of the outercontour of the spray head 7, a stop is formed for the actuating surface14.

As is revealed in particular in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 8, the tube 3provided for accommodating the spray head 7 has an outlet opening 15which is aligned with a spray opening 16 of the spray head 7 when theactuating surface 14 of the spray head 7 bears against the stop of thetube 3. It is therefore reliably ensured that the liquid contained inthe liquid tank 5 is dispensed via the intended outlet opening 15.

To securely fix the spray head 7 in place in the region of the tube end3 a of the tube 3 and to arrange the outlet opening 15 in anadvantageous manner, provision is made for the spray head 7 to protrudeessentially fully into the pipe end 3 a or to be accommodated by thelatter, and for the spraying operation to be triggered by pressure. Inthis case, the tube end 3 a preferably runs linearly at least in theregion which is provided for accommodating the spray head 7, or ismatched to the profile of the spray head 7. The tube end 3 a of the tube3 is therefore designed to be approximately radius-free or unbent. Theregion of the tube end 2 a which can be plugged together with the tubeend 3 a preferably likewise has a linear profile.

To actuate the spraying mechanism, provision is made for the tube ends 2a, 3 a, in the region of which the spray head 7 is arranged, to becompressed or pushed together. As a result, the spray head 7 is moved inthe direction of the liquid tank 5 and is consequently triggered, sothat a surge of spray escapes through the spray opening 16 and theoutlet opening 15. In a manner not illustrated specifically, either bymeans of an end stop within the tube 2 or, for example, by means of aform-fitting seal between the liquid tank 5 and the tube end 2 a of thetube 2, the effect is achieved that the liquid tank 5, after it has beenfixed in place in its designated position, can no longer be pushedfurther into the tube 2. An actuation of the spray head 7 is thereforereliably ensured.

To obtain an advantageous optical effect, provision is made for thewidened opening 12 to surround the tube end 2 a. The bangle according tothe invention therefore obtains a uniform and completely closed opticaleffect. In order to permit a stable and simple pushing together orcompression of the two tube ends 2 a, 3 a, provision is made for thewidened opening 12 to have two inwardly directed guide stops 17 whichprotrude or latch into a respective guide depression 18 in the region ofthe tube end 2 a. The guide depression 18 may also be designed as agroove. The guide depression 18 extends in the direction in which thetube ends 2 a, 3 a are pushed together. The length of the guidedepression 18 can correspond to the travel covered when pushing togetherthe tube ends 2 a, 3 a. A stable guide is therefore ensured. It isadvantageous if both the two guide stops 17 and the two guidedepressions 18 are arranged in the regions 10.

The widened opening 12 may be connected separately to the tube end 3 a.As an alternative to this, provision may also be made for the tube end 3a to be widened by appropriate measures in such a manner that itconstitutes the widened opening 12.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 5, the tube 2 has a viewingopening 19. In this case, the viewing opening 19 is arranged in such amanner that it faces the arm of the wearer, when the bangle is beingworn, as a result of which the viewing opening 19 is difficult to seeeven for keen observers. The viewing opening 19 can serve in a simplemanner to check the filling level of the liquid tank 5. As isfurthermore revealed from FIG. 5, the tube 2 in the region of the tubeend 2 a has a cutout 20 facilitating the insertion of the liquid tank 5.This cutout 20 is likewise arranged in such a manner that the cutout 20faces the arm of the wearer when the bangle is being worn.

The liquid tank 5 may be exchanged in a simple manner. Provision islikewise made here for the liquid tank 5 to be able to be topped up.

The liquid tank 5 may be filled with any desired liquid, preferably withperfume. As the inventor has found out, the bangle is also suitable inan advantageous manner for defending against aggressors if, instead ofperfume, the liquid tank 5 is filled with a liquid, as is the situationwith pepper sprays. For this purpose, the spray head 7 may optionally beconfigured in such a manner that a sharp surge of spray is possible.

As is revealed in the figures, the annular casing 1 has an oval shape ora shape slightly deviating from a circular shape. In the exemplaryembodiment, provision is made for the inside diameter of the annularcasing 1 to have a width of 60 to 70 mm, preferably 65 mm, and a lengthof 48 to 58 mm, preferably 53 mm.

As is revealed in FIG. 6, the hinge 4 permits the two tubes 2, 3 topivot apart in the region of the tube ends 2 a, 3 a in order to removethe spray head 7 from the tube end 3 a. By the two tubes 2, 3 pivotingapart, it is firstly possible, in a simple manner, to change the liquidtank 5 and, secondly, in the pivoted out or open state, the bangle canbe put on particularly easily and effortlessly. By means of acorresponding latching of the hinge 4 or a latching of the guide stops17 into the guide depressions 18, the bangle can be closed again in asimple manner.

The annular casing 1 or the tubes 2, 3 may be formed from any desiredmaterial, for example metal or sheet metal or plastic. In this case, anyknown type of finishing, for example gold-plating, silver-plating andthe like, is possible.

1.-16. (canceled)
 17. A bangle with an annular casing (1) essentiallyformed from two bent tubes (2, 3), the two tubes (2, 3) being connectedto with one another at one tube end (2 b, 3 b) by a hinge (4), and witha separate liquid tank (5), one tube (2) accommodating the separateliquid tank (5), and a spray head (7) of the liquid tank (5) protrudinginto a tube end (3 a) of the adjacent tube (3), the two tubes (2, 3)being displaceable with respect to each other in the region of theirtube end (2 a, 3 a) which faces away from the hinge (4).
 18. The bangleas claimed in claim 17, wherein the tube walls (8, 9) of each of the twotubes (2, 3) have essentially an oval cross sectional contour.
 19. Thebangle as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tube walls (8, 9) of each ofthe two tubes (2, 3) have, in cross section, two opposite approximatelyradius-free regions (10).
 20. The bangle as claimed in claim 17, whereinthe two tubes (2, 3) have a height of between 5 to 10 mm and a width ofbetween 10 to 20 mm.
 21. The bangle as claimed in claim 17, wherein thewidth of the two tubes (2, 3) corresponds at least approximately todouble a value of a height.
 22. The bangle as claimed in claim 17,wherein the spray head (7) is of oval design.
 23. The bangle as claimedin claim 17, wherein an outer contour of the spray head (7) and an innercontour of the tube wall (9) are designed, in a region of the tube end(3 a), such that they match each other in order for the spray head (7)to be arranged in a twist-proof manner.
 24. The bangle as claimed inclaim 17, wherein the tube (3), for accommodating the spray head (7) inthe region of the tube end (3 a), has a widened opening (12) foraccommodating the spray head (7).
 25. The bangle as claimed in claim 17,wherein the tube (3) provided for accommodating the spray head (7) has,in an interior, one of a retaining point, a projection, a stop and thelike which serves for an actuating surface (14) of the spray head (7) tobear against.
 26. The bangle as claimed in claim 25, wherein the innercontour of the tube wall (9) of the tube (3) for accommodating the sprayhead (7) in the region of the tube end (3 a) tapers, starting from thetube end (3 a), in order to form the stop.
 27. The bangle as claimed inclaim 25, wherein the tube (3) provided for accommodating the spray head(7) has an outlet opening (15) which is aligned at least approximatelywith a spray opening (16) of the spray head (7) when the actuatingsurface (14) of the spray head (7) bears against the stop of the tube(3).
 28. The bangle as claimed in claim 17, wherein the spray head (7)protrudes between 15 to 30 mm into the tube end (3 a) of the tube (3)provided for accommodating the spray head (7).
 29. The bangle as claimedin claim 17, wherein the tube (2) provided for accommodating the liquidtank (5) has a cutout designed as a viewing window (19).
 30. The bangleas claimed in claim 17, wherein the annular casing (1) has anessentially oval shape.
 31. The bangle as claimed in claim 30, whereinthe inside diameter of the annular casing (1) has a width of between 60to 70 mm and a length of between 48 to 58 mm.
 32. The bangle as claimedin claim 17, wherein the hinge (4) permits the two tubes (2, 3), in theregion of their tube ends (2 a, 3 a), to pivot apart from one another.